Belgrade is engulfed in student protests and blockades that have paralyzed key traffic routes, including the Gazela Bridge and Autokomanda. Students organized through social media, calling on citizens of Zemun and other parts of Serbia to join their fight for rights. Following yesterday’s protests on Vidovdan, the situation escalated, and police arrested six individuals suspected of planning an attack on state institutions. Deputy Police Director Dejan Luković stated that the police will be tolerant but will respond appropriately to ensure public order and safety.
The blockades have spread to several Serbian cities, including Niš and Novi Sad, where demonstrators placed containers and blocked intersections. In Novi Sad, a moment of silence was held in memory of the victims of the canopy collapse, while protesters passed by the SNS headquarters throwing stones and breaking windows. The academic community condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of detained students, calling the repression unprecedented.
Students announced gatherings in front of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, and police deployed strong forces, including bikers and first aid teams. Protesters chanted slogans and protested peacefully until the police used force, causing further tension. Academic organizations demand extraordinary parliamentary elections and an end to repression against students.
This situation is the culmination of youth dissatisfaction with the state of education and society, with blockades and protests becoming increasingly frequent. While the authorities claim the arrests are justified due to terrorism suspicions, students and citizens see it as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression and the right to protest. Belgrade and other Serbian cities are currently in a state of high tension, and the future of the protests and their outcome remains uncertain.
If you have your own opinion on these events, whether for or against, drop a comment and join the conversation – because this is not just about streets, but the future of the entire country!
